Joseph Teasdale, Possessing Images of Minors Engaged in Sexually Explicit Conduct, Pennsylvania 2020

McKeesport Man Charged with Possessing Images of Minors

A resident of McKeesport has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of violating federal law relating to the sexual exploitation of children, announced United States Attorney Scott W. Brady today.

The one-count Indictment, returned on September 15, 2020 and unsealed today, names Joseph Teasdale, age 42, as the sole defendant.

According to the Indictment, on or about March 5, 2020, Teasdale possessed images depicting minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct, some of whom had not reached the age of 12.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 20 years imprisonment, a maximum term of lifetime supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant. The defendant remains under home detention pending the resolution of the case.

Assistant United States Attorney Robert C. Schupansky is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Allegheny Police Department conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case.

According to the authorities, this case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.

It's worth noting that an indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdpa/pr/mckeesport-man-charged-possessing-images-minors-engaged-sexually-explicit-conduct